Joining Our Youth, Inc. (JOY) is an independent, community-based organization of trained volunteers providing mentoring and targeted services for youth aging out of foster care and other at-risk youth referred by local social service agencies.

Leadership

CEO/Executive Director All Volunteer

Board Chair Jo Evans

Board Chair Affiliationcommunity volunteer

General Info

Organization DBA

DBA

JOY

Supported Organization

Former Names

Tax Exempt StatusPublic Supported Charity

Incorporation Year2007

Awarded competitive grant from Community Foundation in the last 5 years?

Joy was created in 2007 when it became apparent that youth aging out of the Florida State Foster Care System needed support and direction to move forward with their lives. JOY'S volunteers offer compassionate listening, mentoring and targeted services to positively impact the confidence and self esteem of these young adults.

Areas Served

Areas Served

Area

FL- Sarasota

FL- Manatee

FL- DeSoto

Service Categories

Primary Org TypeYouth Development

Secondary Org Type

Tertiary Org Type

Keywords

foster care, mentor, at risk teenager, homeless, tutoring

Statement from the Board Chair/Board President

There was an unrecognized need in our community to help those youths aging out of foster care find support and direction for their lives. JOY provides that support and direction and we want to continue to expand our services to these 17-23 year olds so more of their needs can be met. In addition to our mentoring program, three years ago we started a small storefront clothes closet so youth could choose nice clothes and accessories. attire to prepare them for interviews. A tutoring program is now established to assist youth in studying for their high school diploma or a GED.

Youth learn what is required to maintain their living space and develop pride in their surroundings.

Long Term Success

Youth learn basic housekeeping skills and the tools needed to maintain their residence.

Program Success Monitoring

Youth are surveyed to see if the kits met their needs. Modifications are made based on feedback.

Program Success Examples

:Thank you for my Housekeeping Starter Kit. I've found a room, but I was going to have to sleep on the floor and cover myself with my coat. You have provided everything to make it a home. Thank you again!" - Jason

7 Trendy Threads is a shop which provides (AT NO COST) age and fashion appropriate clothing, shoes and accessories for young people aging out of Foster Care and other at risk youth. We address both female and male clientele.

Youth develop confidence from their improved appearance which encourages better performance in school and work.

Long Term Success

Youth learn appropriate clothing and accessories to wear to move into the adult world. They gain confidence and self-esteem from their improved appearance.

Program Success Monitoring

Interviews with past clients give feedback about type of clothing available and other items they would like to see offered.

Program Success Examples

Youth put on a fashion show for a JOY fundraiser wearing clothes from Trendy Threads. Their delight in looking good and amazement at their reception from the audience at Michael's on East gave them a tremendous boost in self-confidence and awareness of a bigger life outside their current environment.

Volunteers are trained in a 9-hr course run by a behavioral analyst to become certified listeners. They receive a Mentor Manual, and a Resource book they share with their mentees. They then are assigned a mentee by case managers of the Safe Childrens Coalition, who meet weekly with their mentor. Currently 53 mentors are matched with mentees.

After time spent with a mentor, youth should exhibit increased confidence in themselves and become more open with other adults.

Long Term Success

This program gives these youth an adult who listens and participates in their life every week. For most, this will be the only reliable adult that is interested in them at this crucial time in their development. Long-term success would be measured by at a later date comparing those youth who were paired with a mentor against those who were not and gauging their successful integration into society.

Program Success Monitoring

Mentors are a good source of knowing what seems to be working with youth and addressing problems they encounter. Surveys of the youth gives good feedback as to what works and what other opportunities they would like to have in the program.

Program Success Examples

Chelsea "Cat" commented to a JOY member that she was so grateful for her mentor and she so appreciated the things JOY had done for her. She will soon graduate from SCF and said she would like to tell the current aging out youth about JOY next year.

Comments

Program Comments by Organization

When I was first introduced to JOY, an organization dedicated to improving the lives, and making a positive impact on youth entering the world on their own, I was ready to take part. I could not imagine being 18 years old and forced to leave foster care with no positive family support. Few of us can imagine the challenges that these young adults face.

My position was to establish a mentoring program. JOY offers every youth a qualified mentor to be a listener and friend and to establish a supportive adult relationship. This, our first endeavor, has been a great success. As mentors met with mentees, we became aware of all the programs in the community available to help them make the transition to adult life.

Trendy Threads, a popular clothing boutique where youth can shop free once a month. This July and August we have "Back to School" shopping sprees. Trendy Threads Chair, Terry Mathews has contacted our youth to make sure we have their sizes in our inventory.

Holiday, graduation and "just for fun" parties where our mentees mingle with mentors and receive gifts.

As President of JOY, I want to thank my Board for their untiring support, talent and dedication. I also thank our community for their continued support. I will never lose my compassion for the youth we serve and hopefully I have formed permanent relationships with many of them.

President, Joann Evans

Program Comments by Foundation

CEO/Executive Director

CEO/Executive Director All Volunteer

CEO Term Start 0

CEO/Executive Director Emailn/a

Former CEOs/Executive Directors

Name

Term

Senior Staff

Name

Title

Staff & Volunteer Statistics

Full Time Staff0

Part Time Staff0

Staff Retention Rate %N/A

Professional DevelopmentNo

Contractors0

Volunteers143

Management Reports to BoardN/A

CEO/Executive Director Formal EvaluationN/A

Senior Management Formal EvaluationN/A

Non-Management Formal EvaluationN/A

Collaborations

Safe Children's Coalition - oversees the foster care system and notifies JOY of aging out youth.

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